NerdWallet averaged rates for 30-year-old men and women for 10 ZIP codes in each state and Washington, D.C., from the largest insurers in each state. “Good drivers” had no moving violations on record and credit in the “good” tier as reported to each insurer. For the other two driver profiles, we changed the credit tier to “poor” or added one at-fault accident, keeping everything else the same. Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
Some insurance companies will provide their customers with a hire car for a limited period of time if their vehicle has been stolen. There is also the possibility of pre-purchasing a ‘discount hire car benefit’ or ‘comprehensive hire car benefit’, which will ensure you have access to a hire car while your vehicle is being repaired from damage caused in an accident.
Part of why car insurance quotes are so confusing is because car insurance itself is confusing. For starters, there are different types of coverage. Some are required by law; some are not. And the specifics vary by state. We’ve got a full explainer on how car insurance works right here. But, since it’s so crucial to understanding your quotes, here’s an overview of the major components of an auto insurance policy — and what they cover.
Cheap auto insurance doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. You just need to know where to look and what to look for in an auto policy. Savvy auto insurance customers can benefit from the regular price adjustments and the introduction of new discounts by an auto insurance carrier, if they shop. So, are you getting the best value at the best price?
The hardest part is finding out which auto insurance company will give you the most value for your money while providing the reliable coverage you need as a driver. You’ll never know if you’re getting cheap car insurance unless you compare it with other major insurance companies. To avoid overpaying for your current coverage, start comparing quotes today at Compare.com.
While State Farm's shopping experience is well-reviewed, customers did not feel as strongly about it's claims handling process. The company scored about the same as the other four large companies, but was still mediocre. A large national company may be expected to not be very efficient because of the various departments involved in handling individual claims. If you want the assurances guaranteed to you by a large, "legacy" carrier, then State Farm is the best to go with.
It’s possible that you’ll have to worry about solvency if you choose a policy from a small company. If you manage to find a small insurance company with a base level of financial stability that you’re comfortable with, consider how much in price you’re willing to pay for better service. If you value great service, you might prefer a small insurance company. Below, we compared the ten largest auto insurance companies according to their financial strength rating by A.M. Best.

Custom Parts/Equipment: This coverage is not used by everyone. But if you have after-market installations that are permanently attached to the vehicle you may want to consider this to cover your additions. The most important thing to know about this is that if you do have after-market installations, notify your insurance company or they may not be covered if you are in an accident.

When your life changes, your insurance needs may change as well. Life events like a change of residence or a new driver on your policy are a few of the things that can make your insurance premiums rise. That's why we offer members a free On Your Side® Review every year to make sure your insurance is keeping up with your life. We also want to make sure you’re taking advantage of the many benefits we offer, including discounts.

Geico is the insurance company with the gecko mascot and the funny name. Geico stands for Government Employees Insurance Company, a name that dates to when Geico only served employees of the federal government and people in the military. Now, however, anyone can get an insurance policy with them. Geico insures 27 million vehicles each year with 16 million policies, giving it a 13 percent market share. Geico is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, making it a stock insurance company.

If you own a newer car, are leasing one or you purchased it with a loan, full coverage is likely the best option for you. This way, if you’re in an accident, both your car and the other drivers will be protected based on the limits you choose on your policy. Full coverage includes collision and comprehensive coverage, along with standard liability protection. Most loans and leases require full coverage.
Established in 1931, Allstate is the second largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company in America. Similar to State Farm, Allstate has a roster of local agents ready to serve your needs. The company currently employs over 79,000 people. Esurance, a subsidiary of Allstate, operates in the same space. According to Allstate, the Esurance brand is targeted towards self-directed and brand-sensitive customers while Allstate is geared for customers who enjoy local and personal service.

Most insurers — and we're not just talking about auto insurance companies here — use some type of credit-based insurance score to help determine how risky a potential customer is. The practice is a bit controversial, which is why some states have laws against using it (see above). But the general thinking behind insurer credit checks is: If someone is bad with their finances, they might be irresponsible in other areas of life, too. You can learn more about how car insurance rates are determined here.

By contrast, classic auto insurance usually covers your collectible vehicle for an agreed (often called “guaranteed”) value that is mutually agreeable to you and the insurance company – an amount the automobile is worth based on respected collectible car valuation guides like the Old Cars Report Price Guide, an appraisal by a professional, research conducted by the underwriter, or some form of documentation. For instance, if you own a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air with an 8-cylinder engine and 162 horsepower, Hagerty, a leading insurer of collectible cars, would value that at about $61,000. If you have a collectible car insurance policy in place and that vehicle suffers a total loss, the insurer will compensate you the full $61,000.
If you want cheaper insurance, you have to show insurers you’re a low risk driver. Studies have shown certain drivers pose more of an accident and claim risk, so they charge accordingly. You’ll see the cheapest rates for drivers with a newer car, low annual mileage, good credit score and no accidents or tickets. You can also keep costs down by keeping your car in a garage and paying premiums on time.
At its core, car insurance is a bet. You pay your premium, betting that if something happens to your car, you’ll get that money back to pay for repairs, medical bills, and other costs. The car insurance company takes your premium, betting that if you do have an issue with your car, the cost of paying for it will be less than the premiums they’ve collected from you and other policyholders over the years. Insurance companies do lose money on occasion. For example, when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, as many as 500,000 total loss car insurance claims were filed in response to the damage. Those claims cost the insurance industry billions of dollars – money that could have otherwise been profits.
Travelers is another strong provider, and it’s especially worth a closer look if you have a lease or loan on your vehicle. It’s one of our top picks to offer GAP coverage, which pays the balance of your lease or loan if your vehicle is totaled in an accident. That way, you’re not stuck with your old car payment even after you no longer have the car. It also earned top marks in Consumer Reports’ survey, with a 90/100, though it fell a little behind in J.D. Power’s rankings.
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Even if you don’t own a car, you may want to consider getting car insurance. Non-owner car insurance provides coverage for drivers when renting a car, borrowing a car, driving a company car, or using a car-sharing service. Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage and coverage for events that may not be covered by auto insurance policies on the car you’re driving but don’t own. Non-owner car insurance is also a way to prove you have car insurance when working to get your revoked license back. Not all car insurance companies offer this type of coverage in all states.

If you choose the legal minimum coverage level in Texas, expect to pay an average of $826 annually. This expenditure is more expensive than the nationwide average by 26%. If you opt for better coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against the costs of car-on-car crashes, theft and vandalism, or weather incidents. But better coverage comes with a cost: in Texas, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,620, 96% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 120% more than you would for basic coverage.

How it works: Once I launched the quoting tool for auto insurance, I was greeted by a large-print brag that “Drivers Pay As Low As $29.32/Month for Car Insurance.” When I began filling in my vehicle information, the site offered to save me time by looking up the information for me—a frightening reminder of how much of our personal information is available online. The contact information fields were accompanied by text stating that “we respect your privacy” and “NO SPAM, privacy guaranteed.”

Geico is the insurance company with the gecko mascot and the funny name. Geico stands for Government Employees Insurance Company, a name that dates to when Geico only served employees of the federal government and people in the military. Now, however, anyone can get an insurance policy with them. Geico insures 27 million vehicles each year with 16 million policies, giving it a 13 percent market share. Geico is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, making it a stock insurance company.

Nick Dehn is a writer currently serving as a content specialist for Insurify. A seasoned writer, Nick has produced feature pieces, opinion editorials, and press releases for start-ups, small businesses, and local news publications. He now develops content full-time for Insurify, researching and writing data-driven studies and producing insights on the insurance industry. Nick is an alumnus of Williams College, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in English and Sociology. He hails from Wilton, CT but has recently set roots in Cambridge, MA. Nick enjoys exploring the greater Boston area, making stir-fry, and award-show prognosticating.
When comparing car insurance quotes, it helps to compare apples to apples; in other words, you want to be sure that the quotes you get are for identical - or at least very similar - auto insurance policies. Once you have a better idea of the type of coverage you’re looking for in a policy, this will be easy. To better understand coverage types start here

Auto Insurance is required by law for drivers in most states. Drivers who own a car and drive it often should definitely have auto insurance to cover the risk of damages to their car and personal injury and the liability of harm to other people and property. Otherwise, repairs and medical costs, particularly when you’re liable for an accident, can be very expensive.

How it works: Once I launched the quoting tool for auto insurance, I was greeted by a large-print brag that “Drivers Pay As Low As $29.32/Month for Car Insurance.” When I began filling in my vehicle information, the site offered to save me time by looking up the information for me—a frightening reminder of how much of our personal information is available online. The contact information fields were accompanied by text stating that “we respect your privacy” and “NO SPAM, privacy guaranteed.”
Liberty Mutual sells car insurance primarily online and over the phone and provides 24/7 customer support. Liberty mutual car insurance discounts include discounts for new customers, multi-policy discounts, and good driver discounts. Liberty Mutual offers services that can help you save money toward your deductible, and it offers a rate guarantee, so your car insurance rate is set for 12 months at a time.
Some insurance companies will provide their customers with a hire car for a limited period of time if their vehicle has been stolen. There is also the possibility of pre-purchasing a ‘discount hire car benefit’ or ‘comprehensive hire car benefit’, which will ensure you have access to a hire car while your vehicle is being repaired from damage caused in an accident.

Despite not being open to everyone, USAA has a 6 percent market share when it comes to car insurance. It also offers several other services, including banking and investment services, as well as a full line of insurance products. Because USAA works primary with military service members and their families, it has expertise related to specialized situations, like getting a VA home loan or insuring a car while you’re deployed overseas. USAA can also help members navigate moves and real-estate transactions, which are often a part of military life. USAA isn’t publicly traded, so profits go to its members in the form of discounts and dividends.

Nationwide's insurance professionals can quickly design a car insurance quote that meets your precise needs, even for those on a budget. Rather than going with the cheapest car insurance quote, make sure the company you choose provides flexible coverage and billing options. For instance, Nationwide allows members to pay monthly, quarterly or semi-annually online, through the mail or over the phone. It’s important to keep long-term flexibility in mind when deciding on an insurance carrier, not just go with the cheapest car insurance option.